Floating dock and method of constructing same



Sept. 8, 1964 F. A. wElss, JR., ETAL 3,147,727

FLOATING DOCK AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING SAME Filed Oct. 25, 1962 2 sheets-sheet new! United States Patent O 3,147,727 FLGATENG DCK AND METHOD F CON- STRUCTNG SAME Fred A. Weiss, 1r., 8002 Palmetto St.; .lames E. Bookhamer, 33% Chippendaie Ave.; and William F. Bookhamer, 2843 N.. 7th St., ail of Philadelphia, Pa.

Filed @et 25, 1962, Ser. No. 233,069 4 Claims. (Cl. 11am-.5)

This invention relates in general to private docking facilities and more particularly to a type of structure designed to iioat with the tides and move relative to the iixed shore.

Prior art boat docks as presently employed are almost entirely of the stationary type rigidly affixed and set in position using piles, caissons, timbers, concrete and other methods and materials planned to give lasting use. Experience has proved, however, that the degree of permanence is usually in direct proportion to the cost of erection, and therefore the average private dock owner or small boat club could not afford facilities constructed of the required strength due to the high initial cost factor. The dock facilities that are now being constructed are somewhat of a compromise and strength must be sacrificed in the interest of economy. Due to the necessary use of materials subject to deterioration in the interest of saving money, large sums must be expended annually for maintenance and labor costs to keep docks and ramps in good condition. Further, present day structures are fixed in place and cannot be removed for repair, maintenance, safe-keeping or storage.

In addition, presently known structures, being of fixed design, offer a continuing peril to the craft using the dock facilities in that the action of waves causes the boat to move relative to the dock and damage could result if proper precautions had not been taken. It is also desirable for docking facilities to be readily removable both from the viewpoint of maintenance and repair and just as important from the thought of providing a structure that may be easily disassembled and moved from location to location. In this manner, it will be possible for a boat owner to rent a home in any waterfront location and then transport and assemble his floating dock at the same time the boat itself is moved. It is anticipated that the instant invention will create additional mobility to the small boating sport and eliminate many of the problems inherent with presently known constructions.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide docking facilities arranged to iioat on the water surface and move with the tides and Waves.

It is another object of this invention to provide docking facilities constructed of individual oating units.

It is another object of this invention to provide docking facilities that may be transported from location to location.

It is another object of this invention to provide docking facilities requiring a minimum of annual maintenance costs.

It is another object of this invention to provide a floating dock arrangement adaptable to a variety of installation locations.

It is another object of this invention to provide a iioating dock incorporating modular construction and suitable for ready arrangement in various sizes and shapes.

It is another object of this invention to provide a floating dock arrangement that is simple in design, inexpensive in manufacture and maintenance free upon installation.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the following description and claims of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view, partly cut away, showing my invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. l.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a single iioat.

FIG. 6 is a cross section taken along line 6 6 of FIG. 5.

Although specic terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of our invention selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

The floating dock 10 comprises essentially a series of floats 14 containing a light non-absorbent buoyant material 11 such as cellular plastic foam and resting upon heavy pressure creosoted underpinnings 21, 22 extending under both longitudinal edges 12, 13 of the dock 10. Pressure creosoted longitudinal strips 15, 16, 17, 18 rest on top surfaces 19 of oats 14 thereby providing convenient attachment for finished decking 20. We have found it desirable to utilize the heavy underpinnings 21, 22 both to give stability to the structure and, more important, to provide additional weight in order to keep the iioats from being buoyed too high out of the water.

We have found that four inch by four inch rough pressure creosoted timbers extending along entire longitudinal edges 23, 24 of floating dock 16 in spaced relation provide satisfactory strength, weight and durability to be used as underpinnings 21, 2 2. As hereinafter described, floats 14 are constructed to be eight feet long and four feet wide and therefore, underpinnings 21, 22 may be of any desired length that will accommodate the four foot wide floats. As can be seen in FIG. l, the dock 10 will be a minimum of eight feet in width. If it is desired to construct a dock wider than the minimum, additional sections 25, similarly constructed may be utilized as desired. By using multiples of the basic eight foot by four foot modules, we can provide a dock construction of an innite number of sizes and shapes and can readily construct any desiredform or length.

In order to fabricate the floating dock 10, underpinnings 21, 22 are selected and cut to desired size, keeping in mind the number of four foot modules desired to be accommodated. In measuring the final overall size of underpinnings we have found it convenient to allow one additional inch for each four feet of length to provide space for clamps 26, tolerances in the manufacture of floats 14 and for imperfections. Underpinnings 21, 22 are then placed upon the ground in spaced relation measuring an eight'foot overall distance between edges 12, 13 and iioats 14 stretch transversely across underpinnings whereby shorter ends 27, 23 rest upon respective top surfaces 29, 3@ of underpinnings 21, 22. Respective right and left longitudinal edges 31, 32 of each iioat 14 abut each other in side by side arrangement forming a continuous eight foot wide, relatively smooth surface 33 over underpinning tops 29, 30.

Guter nailing strips 15, 18 and intermediate nailing strips 16, 17 fabricated of two inch by four inch lumber extend longitudinally over top surface 33 of iioats 14 each having one of the longer faces 35 forming a bottom surface in continuous contact with top surface 33 of floats 14. Outer strips, 15, 1S lie in the same longitudinal plane as underpinnings 21, 22 and combine with underpinnings and ends 27, 2S of floats to form dock longitudinal edges 12, 13. Intermediate nailing strips 16, 17 similarly extend longitudinally over top surface 33 and a lie approximately equidis'tant from end Istrips 15, 18 and from each other.

U-bolt clamps 26 bind outer nailing strips 15, 18 to under-pinnings 21, Z2. at spaced intervals between each pair of adjacent floats 14 and at transverse edges 36, 37 of dock 1G to unify the entire structure and to provide the required rigidity. Each clamp 26 includes a pair lof vertical, galvanized bolts 33, 39 as shown in FlG. 3 having hexagonal heads 4d, i1 and galvanized, hexagonal nuts 42, 43 turned thereon. Upper and lower bolt plates 44%, 45 constructed of 3716 inch thick, non-corrosive metal, flat bar stock provide top and bottom closures for clamp 26. Each plate is approximately six inches long and two inches Wide and is provided with vertical, through-extending holes 48, 49 near the outboard ends 46, 47 of sufficient diameter to accommodate bolts 38, 39. In order to install clamps 26, plates 44, 45 are placed transversely across top of end strips 15, 1S and bottom of underpinnings 21, 22 leaving holes 48, 49 extending from each side between each adjacent pair of floats 14. Bolts 38, 39 can then be inserted through the exposed holes and nuts 42, i3 drawn up as required to insure a secure structure.

Finished deck Si) comprising a plurality of transverse decking planks 20 can then be attached over nailing strips 15, 16, 17, 18 using non-corrosive fastenings in the usual manner. We prefer to utilize brass screws for this purpose in the interest of easy assembly and disassembly, it being realized of course, that the use of nails, glue, staples or other means of attachment is well within the scope of this invention. Planks 20 can be 1% inch thick by four inches wide by eight feet long strips installed in transverse, parallel arrangement with parallel spaces 51 of approximately one inch between adjacent planks.

Upon completion of the assembly, the dock can be lifted or urged into the water 52 to provide a non-sinkable, floating support. Aluminum cables 53, 54 firmly fastened to outer underpinning 21 connect the dock 1t) with shore 55 in such a manner as to permit dock to rise and fall with the tides in a constantly floating position.

In order to construct floating units 14, we provide a twelve ounce sewn canvas sack 56 in the form of a hollow rectangle six inches in thickness, eight feet in length and four feet in width with closed bottom end 57 and open top 58 provided with sealing flap 59. A corrugated cardboard insert 60 of dimensions slightly less than those of sack 56 is inserted through top 58 and is urged into position wherein all outer sides of carton 60 contact inner surfaces of canvas sack 56. We have found the cardboard insert useful in protecting the foam interior and also in assuring even top surfaces 33 for floats 14. Once the insert has been properly positioned the sack 56 is placed in a conventional mold (not shown) and a polyether-based urethane foam 63 such as Armstrong Cork Company Expandofoam R103 is mixed, heated to 95 F. and poured in the liquid state into open top 58. Upon expiration of the reaction time, foaming begins and the foam expands into all interior surfaces and completely fills canvas sack 56 forming a firm plastic float. The sack is then removed from the mold and top flap 59 closed and sealed. The entire outer surface 61 of canvas sack 56 is then protected with a polyester resin plastic coat 62 such as Rohm & Haas Company Paraplex P-463 which is rolled or brushed on to cover and seal the entire exterior 61 of float 14. Where the dock is to be used in a location subject to the presence of oil on the water, an additional coating of liquid neoprene such as Gates Engineering Company Gaco N-700A has been found extremely helpful to prolong the effective life of the floats.

In order to use our invention, it is only necessary to decide on the size and shape of the dock desired and then out underpinnings 21, 22 and strips 15, 16, 17, 18 to size. An adequate supply of floats 14, clamps Z6 and deck planks should be calculated and then all material transported to the site for assembly as hereinbefore set forth. 1t is our intention that relatively small docks constructed in accordance with our invention will be so light in weight as to be readily handled both in transportation and assembly by one man using a private automobile and ordinary tools. As can be seen, the dock 10 may be installed, dismantled, transported, relocated or carried with a minimum of effort thereby making docking facilities instantly available on any waterfront site.

Although we have described our invention with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. ln a rectangular floating dock, the combination of a plurality of identical rectangular floats extending the length of said dock, said floats each having longer side immediately adjacent to the longer side of the next in horizontal, juxtaposed relation, said floats each having top surfaces and bottom surfaces, and said surfaces lying in respective common horizontal planes, the longer side of said rectangular floats defining the width of said dock and the sum of the shorter sides of all of said floats defining the overall length of said dock; a pair of longitudinal, spaced underpinnings supporting said floats, said underpinnings each having a top surface in contact with said bottom surface of floats and of length equal to length of dock, said underpinnings'having outer edges spaced to coincide with outer edges of said floats and said underpinnings defining the width of said dock; a plurality of longitudinal nailing strips having a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface resting upon said floats, said strips each having length equal to overall length of dock; a plurality of clamping means securing each of said underpinnings to one of said nailing strips, said floats being sandwiched therebetweeen and securely held in position; and decking planks transversely fastened to said nailing strips whereby a unitary floating structure is provided.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said underpinnings are relatively heavy in comparison to the overall weight of said floats and wherein said underpinnings are larger in cross sectional area than said nailing strips.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said clamping means include an upper bolt plate in contact with said top surface of nailing strip, a lower bolt plate in contact with said bottom surface of underpinning and tightening means extending between said bolt plates, said clamping means having all parts operating below top surface of said decking planks.

4. In a floating dock of any desired modular length and width, the combination of a pair of spaced, longitudinal, supporting means, said means extending entire length of dock and spaced to define width of dock; a plurality of floating means arranged in side by side relation and each resting upon said supporting means, each of said floating means comprising rectangular floating members of the same external dimensions and each member extending in length a distance equal to width of dock and the combined width of the floating members equalling the length of said dock; a plurality of nailing means in spaced relation resting upon said floating means, said nailing means extending entire length of dock and parallel with said supporting means; decking means resting and fastened upon said nailing means, said decking means running transversely to said nailing means and extending in length equal to said width of dock; and a plurality of clamping means connecting said supporting means to more than one of said nailing means, said clamping means having all operating parts below top surface of said decking means.

(References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Cook Nov. 11, 1913 Burton Aug. 18, 1914 5 Margolin May 25, 1943 Hiscock Mar. 8, 1949 Smith Aug. 5, 1952 Gould Mar. 28, 1961 

1. IN A RECTANGULAR FLOATING DOCK, THE COMBINATION OF A PLURALITY OF IDENTICAL RECTANGULAR FLOATS EXTENDING THE LENGTH OF SAID DOCK, SAID FLOATS EACH HAVING LONGER SIDE IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE LONGER SIDE OF THE NEXT IN HORIZONTAL, JUXTAPOSED RELATION, SAID FLOATS EACH HAVING TOP SURFACES AND BOTTOM SURFACES, AND SAID SURFACES LYING IN RESPECTIVE COMMON HORIZONTAL PLANES, THE LONGER SIDE OF SAID RECTANGULAR FLOATS DEFINING THE WIDTH OF SAID DOCK AND THE SUM OF THE SHORTER SIDES OF ALL OF SAID FLOATS DEFINING THE OVERALL LENGTH OF SAID DOCK; A PAIR OF LONGITUDINAL, SPACED UNDERPINNINGS SUPPORTING SAID FLOATS, SAID UNDERPINNINGS EACH HAVING A TOP SURFACE IN CONTACT WITH SAID BOTTOM SURFACE OF FLOATS AND OF LENGTH EQUAL TO LENGTH OF DOCK, SAID UNDERPINNINGS HAVING OUTER EDGES SPACED TO COINCIDE WITH OUTER EDGES OF SAID FLOATS AND SAID UNDERPINNINGS DEFINING THE WIDTH OF SAID DOCK; A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINAL NAILING STRIPS HAVING A TOP SURFACE AND A BOTTOM SURFACE, SAID BOTTOM SURFACE RESTING UPON SAID FLOATS, SAID STRIPS EACH HAVING LENGTH EQUAL TO OVERALL LENGTH OF DOCK; A PLURALITY OF CLAMPING MEANS SECURING EACH OF SAID UNDERPINNINGS TO ONE OF SAID NAILING STRIPS, SAID FLOATS BEING SANDWICHED THEREBETWEEN AND SECURELY HELD IN POSITION; AND DECKING PLANKS TRANSVERSELY FASTENED TO SAID NAILING STRIPS WHEREBY A UNITARY FLOATING STRUCTURE IS PROVIDED. 